Meet our new Chair: Trudy Harrison

We are excited to announce that former government minister Trudy Harrison has been appointed as the new Chair of the Bikeability Trust. Trudy brings a wealth of experience in transport policy and public service to the role, with a longstanding commitment to active travel in the UK. As we look ahead to the future of cycling, we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Trudy on board to help guide the Bikeability Trust as we continue our mission to make cycling a safe and accessible life skill for every child.

As the former Member of Parliament for Copeland, Trudy held key positions such as Minister for the Environment and Minister for Transport, where she played a pivotal role in the creation of Active Travel England. Her work has helped to shape policies aimed at increasing cycling, walking and wheeling across the nation, ensuring that these forms of transport are seen not just as sustainable alternatives, but as everyday options for everyone.

Trudy has also been involved in Bikeability in her personal life, teaching cycle training when she was a school governor. This hands-on experience only reinforces her deep understanding of the importance of cycle training in building the next generation of confident cyclists.

Trudy’s vision for the Bikeability Trust

Speaking about her new role, Trudy shared her enthusiasm for the work of the Bikeability Trust and its impact on future generations: “Enabling more people to walk, wheel and cycle safely has been a major focus throughout my career, and I am delighted to take on the role as chair at the Bikeability Trust. Supporting children and families to develop the confidence to cycle is critical in creating a healthier future for Britain. Bikeability has done incredible work delivering high-quality cycle training, and I look forward to helping drive this vital work forward.”

Under Trudy’s leadership, we aim to expand our reach even further, ensuring that more communities across the UK benefit from the life-changing opportunity of cycle training.

Our continued growth

We have already made significant strides in delivering the national cycle training programme, equipping more than 5 million children with the skills to cycle safely and confidently on the road. But we know there is still much more to be done to ensure that every child has the chance to learn how to cycle.

As we welcome Trudy to the team, our Chief Executive, Emily Cherry, expressed her excitement about the future: “We are thrilled to welcome Trudy as our new Chair. Her passion and deep understanding of the work we do will be invaluable in championing our mission to make cycling and independent travel accessible to all. With Trudy’s guidance, we look forward to strengthening our work with government, local authorities, and industry partners to embed Bikeability and cycling as an essential life skill.”

Looking to the future

As we move forward, we will continue to collaborate closely with schools, training providers, local authorities and government to ensure that every child in the UK has access to cycle training. With Trudy’s leadership, we’re excited to take our work to the next level, building a safer, healthier and more confident generation of cyclists.

At the Bikeability Trust, we believe that learning to cycle isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about empowering children with the confidence, independence, and skills to thrive in today’s world. We’re excited for the opportunity to make an even greater impact on the lives of children and families across the UK this year, and in the future.